NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy alarmed with directions taken by Federal gov't
NAN NEWS RELEASE
NAN GRAND Chief raises alarm on Harper government stance on First Nations and the courts
TORONTO, July 28 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is raising the alarm on the new public agenda of the Harper government that takes aim at the courts and First Nations.
Beardy's remarks come on the heels of Indian Affairs Minister Prentice's hard line message to Chiefs in Vancouver where the Minister made it clear that the government was opposed to a so-called "racially segregated fishery."
Beardy said that "The Harper government is now trying to close the door on a court process that First Nations have successfully used to expose the failure of governments to deliver on constitutional obligations and treaty promises to First Nations."
Over the last months the Harper government by deeds and words and have made it clear that they believe that groups like First Nations have been too successful in pressing their claims, claims like the treaty right to fish, in the courts.
Beardy said that "the Prime Minister wants a return to a Canada where political parties and the Cabinet enjoy a monopoly on public policy; where First Nations have little or no access to the political process; and where the courts are bit players on the political stage.
"Unfortunately, there is no turning back the clock. First Nations are here to stay, our demands are legitimate and we will continue to use the courts to back up our demands," said Beardy.
"While Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin and her colleagues may not be Gods, we have more faith in the Supreme Court than in the political whims of governments."
On July 24, one of the member nations of Treaty No. 9, the Kitchenuhmaykoosin Innuwug , launched a court action to challenge the constitutionality of the Mining Act.
Minister Prentice's reference to a race based fishery is just the latest in a long list of public statements by the Harper government that includes rejection of the United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, the Prime Minister's letter opposing the so-called race-based fishery and the resignation of aboriginal affairs Committee chair Conservative MP Maurice Vellacott for intemperate remarks regarding Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin.
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/For further information: Kristy Hankila, Communications Assistant, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625 4902, (807) 472-9604 (mobile)/